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(No Model.

1. H. BRADFORD & N. E. KENNEDY.

CASE FOR VIOLIN3.

No. 373,718. Patented Nov. 22, 1887.

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FRANK H. BRADFORD AND NELSON E. KENNEDY, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

CASE

SPE CIEICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 373,718, dated November 22, 1887.

(No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANK H. BRADFORD and NELsoN E. KENNEDY, both of the city and county of Providence, and State ofRhode Island, have invented a certain new, useful, and Improved Case for Violins, Guitars, and Similar Stringed Instruments, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

This invention relates to a portable box or case for covering and protecting violins, guitars, and other similar stringed instruments when the instruments are not in use or are being transported. In this class of cases it is desirable to have them constructed as light, simple, and neat as possible, and withal to be verystout and firm, in order to withstand hard usage, and afford protection to the contained delicate instrument against dust and dirt.

The objects of our invention are to provide a neat and compact case which will be well sealed against dust and dirt.

To these purposes our invention consists in the new and peculiar arrangements and constructions of the parts of the case, all as hereinafter fully described.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating our invention, Figure 1 represents a broadside plan view of our improved violin, &c., case, shown as closed and locked. Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 2 2 in Fi 1, and showing the interior of our case. Fig. 3 represents a sectional view of the case, taken on line 3 3 in Fig. 1, and showing portions of the interior and exterior of the same.

In the said drawings like numbers of reference designate corresponding parts through out.

ferring to the drawings, the complete case or box 6 is constructed of the top 7 and the bottom 8, each formed in a single piece of material. The top 7 is formed with the shoulder 9 and the depending marginal lip or flange 10, integral with the top. This twopart case we construct out of leathenboard or other con solidated fibrous material, made, generally, from leather cuttings, shavings, and parings combined with paper-stock or material of a fibrous nature, which is reduced to a pulp,

felted and consolidated, and formed into pliable sheets adapted to be molded as desired, then dried and hardened.

As the drawings clearly indicate, the top 7 and bottom 8 of the case are each molded in single pieces, without joints or seams, and are shaped with the edges, as 11, well rounded and smooth. The vertical meeting sides of the top and bottom, respectively, of the case are constructed aboutin the same vertical plancthat is, when the case is closed, as shown, these respectivesides are flush on the interior of the case, thereby reducing the dimensions of the case, since the form of the contained instrument may be closely fitted thereto. The sealing lip or flange 10 is offset from the casetop, and depends over, thejoint of the case top and bottom, extending down over the outside of the latter, and afiords a secure seal against dust and dirt. The top 7 is formed with a transverse curve or arch and is arched slightly longitudinally, with the break 12 at the highest point, and beneath which the bridge of the instru ment will lie when placed in the case. The

bottom 8 is formed with the base or restingsnrface flattened.

The entire case has the two general parts of the body 13 and neck 14 molded and curved after the outlines of the instrument it is to be made for, and the case is made to snugly fit and hug the instrument without the use of the usual blocks and stays placed within the interior of such cases. The top 7 and bottom 8 are hinged together by means of the hinges 15, disposed, as shown, upon the body 13 and neck 14 of the case. The leaves of the hinges 15 are secured to the top and bottom, respectively, and the case is so shaped that the pintle or hinge pins 16 of the hinges are arranged in axial alignment, whereby the top may be readily worked on the hinges in opening and closing the case. This is an important advantage, since by virtue of the same the neck 14 of the case may be provided with a hinge in the same manner as the body 13, and the hinging together of the top and bottom is rendered more durable.

The interior walls of the casefi are lined with a soft fabric, as 26, which may be glued to the solid material forming the case in the manner shown.

IOO

5 ably looped and arranged transversely thereof,

and the locking device, consisting in the post 23,secured to the upper center part of the top by means of the pin 24, and the turnbar 20, which is placed upon the end of the post and I0 is pivoted at its center to the pin 24, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, for the purpose of securing the violinbows in looked positions therein. The bows may be placed in position within the upper part ofthe case-top by turning the turn-bar 2O lengthwise of the case, and then placing an end of each bow in one of the straps 19, so that the other ends thereof will lie within the top and one to each side of the post 23, when the turn-bar is turned transversely of the top into the position shown in Fig. 2, in order to lock the bows in place. At the extreme end of the neck 14 and in the bottom 8 of the case is constructed a compartment, 21, provided with a lid, 22, designed for containing strings,

rosin, 85c.

\Ve are aware that boxes have been heretofore constructed out of leather and 1eatherboard and like consolidated fibrous materials,

and that the same have been shaped by com prcssion into peculiar forms, and we therefore disclaim such a construction; but,

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a case of the character described, the combination, with the case top and bottom formed with their meeting sides in the same plane, of the external sealing-lip, offset and formed integral with the said top and extending around the edge of the same and acting to overlap upon the exterior of the sides of the bottom and to seal the joint between the said top and bottom of the case, substantially as herein set forth.

2. In a case of the character described, the

combination, with the case-top, of the looped straps 1.9, mounted within the said top and disposed one on each side thereof, and the post 23,

secured to the top and having the turn-bar20 swiveled thereto for locking the bows within the case-top, substantially as herein set forth.

FRANK H, BRADFORD. NELSON E. KENNEDY. Witnesses:

J. A. MILLER, J r., WVILLIs FOWLER. 

